Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with Slaw
8 servings · 15 min prep · 240 min cook
Macros per serving
↓ 33% fewer calories · 175 kcal saved
Smart swaps
- Pork shoulder (fatty cut)→Boneless skinless chicken breast
Reduces saturated fat by 75% and drops total fat from 18g to 5g per serving while boosting protein.
- Sugar-loaded BBQ sauce + brown sugar→No-sugar-added BBQ sauce + tomato paste
Cuts added sugar by over 20g per serving; tomato paste adds richness, lycopene, and umami depth.
- Mayo-based coleslaw→Greek yogurt vinegar slaw
Swaps mayo for Greek yogurt, adding protein and probiotics while cutting 10g fat per serving.
- White hamburger buns→Whole wheat buns
Adds 3g fiber and more minerals from whole grains without sacrificing sandwich structure.
Original
- 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder
- 1.5 cups BBQ sauce (store-bought)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 8 buns hamburger buns
- 2 cups coleslaw (mayo-based, store-bought)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- salt and black pepper
Healthy version
- •2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- •0.75 cup no-sugar-added BBQ sauce
- •2 tbsp tomato paste
- •3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- •2 tsp smoked paprika
- •1 tsp garlic powder
- •1 tsp onion powder
- •8 buns whole wheat hamburger buns
- •3 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
- •1 cup carrots, shredded
- •3 tbsp plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- •1 tsp Dijon mustard
- •1 tsp honey
- •salt and black pepper
Method
- 1
Season chicken breasts with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- 2
Place chicken in a slow cooker. Mix BBQ sauce, tomato paste, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Pour over chicken.
- 3
Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken shreds easily.
6–7 hours3–4 hours - 4
While chicken cooks, make the slaw: combine shredded cabbage and carrots in a bowl. Whisk Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, remaining 2 tbsp vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss with vegetables. Refrigerate until serving.
- 5
Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return to the sauce and stir to coat.
- 6
Toast whole wheat buns lightly under the broiler or in a dry skillet.
- 7
Pile pulled chicken on the bottom bun, top with a generous scoop of slaw, and close the sandwich.